Travel Course

Soils, Agriculture and the Environment of Uruguay

Program Overview

Soils, agriculture & the environment of Uruguay program examines the soils, agriculture, and environment across Uruguay via a series of visits to farms, forests, rivers, parks, and professional field offices to develop an understanding and appreciation of South America's northern Pampas, the national importance of the Universidad de la Republica, and Uruguay's unique and vibrant culture and agricultural economy.  

Program Goals and Outcomes:

Tropical Agriculture and Culture in Ghana

Program dates are tentative and subject to change

This Travel Study course will take place in the Coastal Savannah, the Semi deciduous rainforest, and the High rain-forest Evergreen ecological zones of Ghana, where students will learn about tropical agriculture, agroforestry, animal production, animal ecology, and aspects of Ghanaian culture in foods, art, and music in the three ecological zones chosen for the travel study. Students will have the opportunity to interact with local farmers for community service.

Natural History of Antarctica

Students will travel to Antarctica through Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina. They will spend 12 days on a ship exploring the Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Throughout the duration of the trip, while on the ship and during daily excursions to the continent, expedition leaders and lecture staff will guide students in viewing wildlife like whales, a huge variety of seabirds, penguins, and seals. Students will explore the icebergs, mountains and waterways of Antarctica's geography.

ECON 495: Imagination-added Agriculture Domestic Travel Course (Study USA)

This travel course will allow students to meet and explore creative farms and agricultural businesses. Students will engage with entrepreneurs and innovators creating tomorrow's agriculture, whether direct-to-consumer farms, artisan producers, or alternative crops and livestock businesses. The group will travel by bus to Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:40-1:55 P.M. during the spring semester. 

Course Credits: 3 credits (ECON 495)

Course Fee: $1,500

Tentative Stops:

Soybean Supply Chain Trip (Study USA)

Soybeans are a major component of U.S. and global agricultural and food systems. This class seeks to help students better understand the importance of soybeans – domestically and globally – and the complexities and opportunities for soybean use. Technological advancements, low carbon solutions, and policy are combining to make the soybean supply chain extra exciting and dynamic!

Comparing Food Systems - Iowa vs California (Study USA)

This course will review food systems frameworks and considerations, focusing on food supply chains (production systems, distribution, processing, and retail/markets). Concepts related to systems thinking will be applied to food systems, and discussion topics will include influences such as natural resources (water), innovation and technology, demographics (labor), and economics (price of food). The pre-departure course will include tours of Iowa food production to assist in comparing and contrasting regional food systems in Iowa and California.

Integrated Management of Tropical Crops - Costa Rica

Program dates are tentative and subject to change

This program provides an introduction to the production of a wide variety of tropical crops (coffee, banana, pineapple, mango, sugar cane, cut flowers, vegetables, papaya, etc.) from the perspective of Costa Rica. The class also explores Costa Rican ecology, history, and culture. Close cooperation with the University of Costa Rica faculty allows many unique opportunities during the class visit.

3 credits for Plant Pathology/Entomology/Horticulture 511 

Agricultural Production, Business and Trade in Australia

The course aims to enhance students' understanding of production and competition in agricultural markets. Students will analyze production agriculture (a typical farm or ranch), business, and trade in Australia and compare them with respect to the USA. The pre-departure orientation will familiarize students with Australia's history, culture, politics, geography, soils, agriculture, economy, and trade.

3 credits for the AGRON/ECON 496 (2 credits of AGRON and 1 of ECON or 2 credits of ECON and 1 of AGRON) during spring semester

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